DECEMBER 13, 2022 - It is often pointed out that Star Trek, from the beginning, presented a version of the human future that reflected certain political points, couched in science fiction. The shorthand for this is “Gene’s vision,” referring to Star Trek’s creator, Gene Roddenberry.

Recently the BBC featured a discussion of politics in Star Trek on its radio program, Free Thinking. The roundtable featured several guests, including Trek novelist Una McCormack and George Takei.

The conversation began by pointing out that while Star Trek has been criticized for being utopian, the point is that that utopia was not achieved until humanity successfully dealt with a dystopian past, and that the show is a reflection of “America’s self-image or … anxieties, particularly in its rise, apogee, and decline as a global power, [and] we can … look at Star Trek and learn something about how America talks about itself,” according to McCormack.

Takei said, in the context of considerations of the economics of Star Trek, “I’m not aware of any acquisition of … wealth. It was recognition of one’s capability that was the advancement…. It’s being able to do what you enjoy doing, get the challenges that you find most engaging.” Novelist and screenwriter Naomi Alderman was quick to point out that even the utopia of Star Trek seems to have its hidden challenges and to imply that joining Starfleet is almost required to experience the fully utopian aspects.

The discussion went on reflect on how Star Trek has shifted to engage with the changing political landscape, including “anxious movements which are about the changing demographics of [Europe, the UK, and the US]” that “show us that we still fall short of being able to accomplish that ideal which Star Trek presents,” said academic José-Antonio Orosco.

The heart of Star Trek, according to Orosco, comes down to scenes of collaboration and problem solving together.

For a lot more on the politics of Star Trek, you can listen to the entire episode of Free Thinking.